Assam CM Urges Rollback of ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ in Constitution

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reignited a long-standing constitutional debate by calling for the removal of the words ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. Speaking at the BJP’s state headquarters, Vajpayee Bhawan, during the launch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s book “The Emergency Diaries”, Sarma urged the central government to restore the Preamble to its original form as adopted in 1950.

While he did not name the two words explicitly, Sarma made a pointed reference to the 42nd Constitutional Amendment passed during the Emergency in 1976. “We have deviated from the ideological vision of our founding fathers. It is time to revert to the Preamble as envisioned by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and adopted under Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s leadership. The two words inserted during the Emergency must now be removed,” he said.

The words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added to the Preamble through the 42nd Amendment, a move seen by many as symbolic of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s political consolidation during a period when civil liberties and democratic institutions were under severe strain.

• ‘Socialist’ reflects the state’s commitment to reducing wealth inequality and preventing the concentration of resources in the hands of a few.

• ‘Secular’ underlines the Indian state's neutrality in matters of religion, ensuring no faith is given preferential treatment.

Though not a new position within some BJP circles, Sarma’s public statement as a sitting Chief Minister adds significant political weight, particularly in the run-up to national elections. His remarks are expected to spark widespread debate across legal, political, and academic domains.

Critics warn that removing these words would mark a shift away from the pluralistic and inclusive values enshrined in the Constitution. Proponents, however, argue that the amendment was undemocratically imposed during a period when dissent was silenced and constitutional processes compromised.

With ideological narratives sharpening and constitutional values becoming key political battlegrounds, Sarma’s comments may serve as a precursor to a renewed push by sections of the ruling party to redefine India’s foundational framework.

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